Landmark Verdict: $40 Million Award in In-Custody Death Case
In a significant ruling that echoes the ongoing concerns about the treatment of inmates in U.S. facilities, a federal jury found a private company running a Louisiana jail responsible for the tragic death of Erie Moore Sr. The jury awarded Moore’s family over $40 million, marking one of the highest jury awards for an in-custody death in the nation’s history.
The Case Background
Erie Moore Sr., a 57-year-old mill worker with a spotless criminal record, was arrested on October 12, 2015, for disturbing the peace at a doughnut shop in Monroe, Louisiana. What followed his arrest has raised numerous questions about the conduct of law enforcement and the conditions within the Richwood Correctional Center.
Court documents reveal that Moore was taken into custody but soon became “agitated and noncompliant.” According to his attorney, Max Schoening, Moore was struggling with mental health issues at the time of his arrest. Instead of receiving appropriate care, he was subjected to continuous excessive force, including being pepper-sprayed multiple times over a span of 36 hours.
Events Leading to Death
Security footage from the correctional facility, which became critical evidence in the case, depicted a disturbing sequence of events where guards violently restrained Moore. In one harrowing moment, guards lifted him by his arms and legs, inadvertently causing his head to strike the ground. Following this incident, Moore was taken to a secluded area of the jail devoid of surveillance cameras. For nearly two hours, he was left unattended, with no medical assistance sought despite his evident distress.
Schoening emphasized that the jury determined the guards used excessive force during this time, further highlighting the negligence exhibited by the staff. By the time sheriffs from another agency arrived to transport Moore to a different jail, he was found unconscious and unresponsive.
Medical Consequences and Legal Proceedings
After being transferred to a hospital, it was revealed that Moore had sustained severe head injuries and fell into a coma. Sadly, he passed away about a month later, with the Ouachita Parish coroner ruling his death a homicide as a result of the injuries inflicted during his time at the facility.
The jury’s decision against the three named guards and LaSalle Management Co.—which operates the Richwood Correctional Center—concluded that their actions constituted negligence, battery, and excessive force. The jurors awarded a total of $23.25 million in punitive damages, in addition to $19.5 million earmarked for Moore’s three adult children.
Community and Expert Responses
“This is the largest compensatory damage award I have ever heard of,” remarked Jay Aronson, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and author of the book “Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do about It.” This case has not only shed light on the need for accountability within correctional facilities but may also set a precedent for future cases involving in-custody deaths.
Moore’s son, Erie Moore Jr., expressed the profound emotional relief his family feels after a decade of pain and uncertainty. “This trial has shined light where there was darkness. It has brought our family truth, justice, and peace,” he stated, emphasizing the suffering they experienced in the years following his father’s death.
The Role of LaSalle Management Co.
LaSalle Management Co., part of the business enterprise that ran the Richwood Correctional Center, operates several detention facilities across Louisiana and Texas. In recent years, the Richwood facility has transitioned to serve as a federal immigration detention site, with LaSalle described by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency as a “critical part of ICE’s detention system.”
Despite the serious allegations against them, LaSalle did not respond to requests for comments from media outlets regarding the case. Similarly, the City of Monroe has opted not to comment on the trial proceedings or the jury’s findings.
Implications for Civil Rights
This verdict has been hailed as a significant victory for civil rights, particularly for the treatment of individuals in custody. Schoening noted that “Erie Moore Sr.’s life was a gift to his family and community. LaSalle Management Co. ended it with utter indifference.” The successful pursuit of justice by Moore’s children stands as a testament to their resilience and the larger fight against systemic abuses within correctional institutions.
In the wake of this landmark verdict, the conversation surrounding inmate rights, mental health treatment, and law enforcement accountability in facilities across the U.S. continues to gain urgency and relevance.